There was drama on Flight NUA 0504 from the Lagos airport on Sunday when the Abuja-bound passengers were flown to Asaba airport.
Nigerian domestic carrier, United Nigeria Airlines, has blamed “poor weather” for the diversion of an Abuja-bound flight to Asaba, the Delta State capital.
There was drama on Flight NUA 0504 from the Lagos airport on Sunday when the Abuja-bound passengers were flown to Asaba airport.
The cabin crew, upon landing in Asaba, told the passengers that they had arrived at Abuja airport, creating confusion among the passengers.
However, in a statement by a spokesman for the airline, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, United Nigeria Airlines acknowledged the error on the part of its cabin crew.
The airline explained that the pilots of the aircraft temporarily diverted the flight to the Asaba airport due to “poor destination weather”.
“At all material time, the Pilot of the aircraft was aware of the temporary diversion and was properly briefed.
“Meanwhile, the aircraft has landed safely in Abuja following improvement on destination weather,” the statement read.
As though advancing a closing argument on the 2023 general election, the Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, on Sunday, in Lagos, declared that it must have pleased God to ordain Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s president, if his difficult path to victory was anything to go by, including the many court cases that greeted his emergence.
The foremost custodian of the Benin tradition and culture, who further called on the Nigerian people to support the Tinubu administration as well as live in peace, also hailed the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his giant strides in the state.
This was as Sanwo-Olu, in company with his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other cabinet members, took the revered monarch on a tour of the Lagos Museum – the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan.
Speaking at the Lagos House, Marina, the Oba of Benin noted that Tinubu’s victory at the 2023 presidential poll and his eventual emergence as President showed that God ordained him to rule the country, hence the need for all Nigerians to support him to achieve the greater dream for Nigeria.
Harping on the need for peaceful coexistence in the country to achieve sustainable development in all areas of the nation’s economy, he said diversity was good for Nigeria and urged the people to iron out their differences and live as a family in peace, unity and harmony with one another.
“God has ordained that Tinubu would become President of Nigeria. We are all one. I am for peace and tranquility. We must live together as one. Nigeria is big. We must iron out our differences and learn to live together as one, big family,” he said.
The Oba of Benin, who congratulated Sanwo-Olu on his reelection and commended his giant strides, however, charged him not to rest on his oars but do more to achieve greater heights in his second term in office.
Sanwo-Olu, while speaking, assured the monarch that the state would continue to be home to everyone irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliations.
Eulogising the Oba of Benin for distinguishing himself among the traditional rulers, he said his protection of culture and promotion of traditional values, have earned him maximum respect across the country.
Musician, Seun Kuti has made a comparison between the conduct of numerous Nigerian celebrities in the presence of politicians, comparing it to the situation between Israel DMW and Davido amid the ongoing marital controversy with Israel’s estranged wife, Sheila.
Seun said that Nigerians and dignity are mutually exclusive words. He stated that behind the camera, most Nigerian celebrities behave like Israel when they meet politicians.
He said: “All the celebrities in Nigeria behave like Israel in front of politicians and billionaires, na praise una dey praise dem na. Why is this different? At least David isn’t sucking your blood! Who deserves hailing? Question for the gods.”
The Lagos Stategovernment on Monday, November 27, crushed 1,500 apprehended commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada in a renewed onslaught against Okada operation in the 10 local governments and 15 local council development areas (LCDAS) in the state.
The commissioner for transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, who disclosed this while supervising the crushing of the motorcycles at the Taskforce Yard, Alausa, Ikeja, said this is in line with the government’s commitment to the safety and security of lives and property. He said the exercise is an indication that the government is not rescinding its decision to apprehend, impound, and crush recalcitrant motorcycles plying all restricted areas.
He said: “The ban on Okada in specified areas is crucial for maintaining order, reducing risks associated with unauthorized motorcycle operation, and also improving security.”
The prohibited local government areas include; Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Mushin, Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Surulere, and Eti-Osa.
The Local Council Development Areas under them which the ban also covered include; Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Lagos Island East, Yaba, and Coker Aguda. Others are; Itire-Ikate, Eti-Osa West, Iru Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga, and Odi-Olowo.
The commissioner urged Okada operators to obey the ban order in the prohibited areas, adding that Okada is not a safe means of commercial transportation and does not fit into the transport policy of the state.
Also present at the crushing exercise are the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, and other officials of the ministry.
Universities in Nigeria are battling a severe shortage of staff as thousands of lecturers leave the tertiary institutions to seek greener pastures in foreign lands amid the high number of retirements at the varsities.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities branches in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Sunday confirmed this, adding that the shortage was due to the surge in the exit of the lecturers out of Nigeria and the concerns around the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.
ASUU at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, said about 100 lecturers had left the university, while the union at the Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara, disclosed that the institution was in need of about 1,000 lecturers to fill the vacancies created by those who had left.
The union at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State said over 350 academic vacancies were available at the institution, while 27 lecturers had left two faculties at the University of Lagos, as 100 workers at the University of Uyo travelled out of the country.
The union disclosed that about 500 academic vacancies existed at the University of Ilorin in Kwara State, while both academic and non-academic staff of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology were leaving the country.
The Chairman, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Dr. Rotimi Olorunsola, said many of the staff of the institution, both academic and non-academic, had left the university.
Olorunsola said, “Yes, some have japa (travelled out of the country), both the academic staff and non-academic.”
The Head of the Media and Protocol, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Mr Victor Akinpelumi, confirmed that many workers of the institution had moved out of the institution.
“It is true many workers, both academic and non-academic, have left the university, but as I am now, I can’t give a specific number. I can confirm that many workers of the university have gone,” he stated.
The Chairman of ASUU, University of Benin, Dr Ray Chikogu, said the shortage of staff in UNIBEN and other universities had been a problem that existed for a long time due to the embargo on employment by the Federal Government.
He said this constituted undue interference by the government in the running of the universities, especially as it affected the recruitment and promotion of staff.
He said, “The teaching staff department is grossly understaffed. For a very long time, academic staff have been overburdened with work in the University of Benin and many other universities in the country.
“It has been a problem for a number of years now because of the embargo on employment in federal universities and the process of recruitment of staff is a very cumbersome one. The university has to obtain permission from the head of service through the accountant-general’s office.
Fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Saturday struck terrorist enclaves in the Nigeria’s North-east, killing 100 terrorists. A war update issued by the NAF said the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, carried out air strikes on an isolated location consisting of three structures in the midst of several trees in Borno State.
It said the air interdiction was one of the most successful strikes undertaken by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on November 24, 2023. The update signed by the Spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said “from the footage, it was evident that the terrorists were massing up at the location for either a well-planned meeting or preparing for a major attack on our own troops.
“Over 100 heavily armed terrorists were observed throwing banters and moving randomly around the structures, which also had four troop carriers”, it said.
“The aftermath of the air strike revealed that two out of the three structures as well as the entire troop carriers were destroyed.
“There are also indications that Abu Asad, a key figure in the Ali Ngulde group under Boko Haram, as well as other terrorists like Ibrahim Nakeeb, Mujaheed Dimtu, Mustafa Munzir and several fighters were among the several terrorists eliminated in the air strike”, it said.
The update affirmed that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has since commended the air component commander and his men while urging them to continue to synergize with the land component as they maintain the momentum in, “keeping the terrorists on their toes.”
“We must continue to justify the trust and confidence the federal government and our people have bestowed on us by ensuring that we go all out in making life unbearable for these terrorists and criminals until they surrender or are completely eliminated,” he said.
The Biafra Defacto Customary Government, BDFCG, has called on the delegation to the 2014 National Conference to unearth and advocate for the implementation of the conference report, saying it holds crucial recommendations for the equitable control of resources.
In a press statement issued in Awka, the Pro-Biafran group noted exploitation by Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, and the exploitative practices of private interests associated with Orient Petroleum Resources in their areas of operation, saying it has deprived the (people) Biafrans of the economic benefits derived from the natural resources, perpetuating an unjust distribution of individual and social welfare.
The statement signed by BDFCG Spokesperson, Prosper Odinga, warned that the economic well-being of the people is at stake, and that private interests can no longer be allowed to compromise the potential benefits of the natural resources, insisting that there is no reason why anybody should lack anything in Biafraland just as it described sale of fuel above N70 per litre as criminal.
The statement reads in full:
Biafra Natural Resources Must Be For The People’s Welfare Rather Than An Instrument Of Oppression
As it appears currently, Biafran natural resources are being exploited in the guise of one Nigeria by Fulani-Hausa and Yoruba trio post conflict winners alliance with their oligarchies and crony perpetrators.
The Biafra De Facto Customary Government (BDFCG) wishes to make this clarification bordering on uneven distribution of our God-given natural resources where very few privileged economic and political buccaneers are living large at the expense of majority of the people. We bring to the forefront two distinct but interrelated issues that demand public awareness – the exploitation by Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited and the exploitative practices of private interests associated with Orient Petroleum Resources.
It has come to our attention that Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited is significantly exploiting oil within Biafran territory. Their modular refinery in Ibigwe, Ohaji/Egbema located in today’s Local Government Area of Imo State, is producing over 600 million litres of various petroleum products. Shockingly, the people are estranged in this natural resource exploitation and sharing of the dividends.
This situation is deeply troubling as it deprives Biafrans of the economic benefits derived from our natural resources, perpetuating an unjust distribution of individual and social welfare. This exploitation further exacerbates the disparities our people have long suffered from, leading to economic marginalization.
Moreover, we are alarmed by recent attempts by the Federal Government to enforce crude oil supply to Dangote through the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. If successful, this move would divert even more resources away from our region, leaving us at a severe disadvantage.
In addition to oil exploitation, we expose exploitative practices by private interests, particularly those associated with Orient Petroleum Resources and Ibeto. The clandestine activities involving Ibeto, a major shareholder in Orient Petroleum Resource.
Today’s Anambra, known as the Gas capital of Nigeria, holds approximately 30 trillion cubic feet of gas within the Anambra basin alone. However, unscrupulous practices threaten the economic benefits for the local population.
Cotton Wooden Gas Plant Ltd, owned by Ibeto, has commenced full-scale production in Omasi, Ayamelum Local Government Area, generating Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at a rate of 5000 mscf per day. This plant allegedly operates in partnership with Orient Petroleum Resources, taking gas from one of its wells in Enugu Otu Aguleri.
Orient Petroleum Resources, planning to establish the Anambra Gas Fired Independent Power Plant (IPP) at Ughenu, Awka North, raises concerns about equitable resource distribution.
BDFCG demands immediate investigation and intervention by relevant authorities to halt these exploitative practices. The economic well-being of our people is at stake, and we cannot allow private interests to compromise the potential benefits of our natural resources.There is no reason why anybody should lack anything in Biafraland. It is criminal to sell fuel above N70 per litre!
We call upon our delegation to the 2014 National Conference to unearth and advocate for the implementation of the conference report, which holds crucial recommendations for the equitable control of resources.
The Biafran people stand united in our quest for justice, autonomy, and control over our resources. We urge all stakeholders to recognize the significance of the Aburi Accord and the imperative for genuine restructuring, acknowledging the rights of self determination of willing indigenous people in the colonial concocted Nigeria territory.
The President General of Nnobi community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Barr. Dominic-Savio Okpala, has said that the town union and the entire community are not ready to accept further intimidation and oppression from the traditional institution of the community.
Speaking to the press after an Emergency Representative General Meeting of the community, Barr. Okpala alleged that meddlesomeness of the traditional institution into the town union administration, which has been going on for a long time, is fuelling crisis in Nnobi, regretting that for showing restraint, members of the leadership of the town union are being pressed further to the wall.
He alleged that the highpoint was that recently, while exercising powers given to them by Nnobi Central Executive Committee to address crisis in the community, some officers of the town union were arrested, handcuffed and taken into detention by direct and indirect orders from the traditional institution, describing it as unacceptable.
The President General said as the political leader of the community, he has brought the sad development to the attention of the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, adding that the Emergency Representative General Meeting was for Nnobi community members to look into the vexed issues and find a way forward.
For there to be lasting peace, Barrister Okpala called on traditional institution to keep to their duties and functions spelt out under section 15 of the ASTRL; and allow the town union government to function under same law; as reflected and domesticated in Nnobi Town Union Constitution 2011.
He noted that there is a clear-cut dichotomy in the provisions of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law; spelling out the powers of traditional institution and the town union administration, saying it’s expected that each of the components should abide by the constitutional provisions.
Lending his voice, the Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu) of the community, Barr. Sir. Onyechi Ifezue Esqr., expressed displeasure over the rift in Nnobi, pointing out its negative impact, and proposed setting up a committee to address the whole issues, warning that anyone who goes against the agreement of the committee will be dealt with in “Nnobi way”.
He said that peace and unity is necessary for progress of the community, and called on the traditional and political institutions of Nnobi to have the interest of the community first in all their dealings.
Contributing, the Chairman of Ngo Nnobi and former member of Nnobi Caretaker Committee, Dr Pat Mbanefo, who said that the issue in the community is trying to tear it apart, expressed happy with large turnout of people at the meeting, including the youths; whom he said are seeing things for themselves, and the women; to be able to advise at home.
He informed that in the meeting, constitutional matters in the community were addressed, and the 2023 Revised Constitution of Nnobi Community approved, urging all to come clean and help move the town forward.
Regretting that the problem in the community has existed for long because, except few persons; people of the community were not politically conscious, Dr Mbanefo explained that when more people become conscious, the problem set in because of actions of people benefiting from the old order.
Among other issues that have stalled development of the community, the Nnobi community stakeholder recalled how disunity cost them the Idemili North Local Government Headquarters when it was Obiaja Local Government.
Also at the meeting, Nnobi constitution amendment committee presented the final draft of the work to the town union leadership, and it was agreed that the document will be sent to the Anambra State Government for input and confirmation of conformity with that of the state.
… i didn’t see my baby after delivery – victim informs court
The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court of Anambra State has remanded a suspended Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Nwaigwe to correctional center for allegedly raping and impregnating a teenager he was living with.
Offence of sexual intercourse with a minor is punishable under section 34(2) of the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004.
Fr. Nwigwe was also accused of forcefully taking the pregnant minor to Benin City, Edo State, where she was delivered of her baby.
Police investigation however revealed that the whereabouts of the said baby is still unknown.
It was gathered that the priest was among those expelled by Two Hearts of Love Congregation” (Ugwu Nso), a popular Catholic faith-based religious congregation in Orlu, Imo State, in 2018, over alleged misconducts inimical to the image of the order.
Source informed our Correspondent that the priest met the teenager at the St. Albert The Great Catholic Church Parish, Obosi, Anambra State, where he was invited for a religious church programme.
Responding to questions in the court during remand proceedings on Monday November 20, 2023, the victim said the priest took her from her parents to live with him when she was 14 years old, with a promise to sponsor her education, while she equally served as his cook.
She further stated that not long after she moved into the priest’s house, he started forcing himself sexually on her, which continued until she became pregnant at the age of 17.
The victim further stated that when she informed the priest about her pregnancy, the priest took her from Ihiala, Anambra State, where they lived, to somewhere in Benin City, Edo State, to the house of a man and woman the priest introduced to her as his brother and brother’s wife.
When the minor gave birth to the baby at a native birth attendant’s house in Benin City, she said she was told that the baby died, and when she made efforts to see the dead baby, they told her it has been buried.
Asked if she had been gang-raped before, the minor said no, and alleged that while on the way to Benin City, the priest told her to say that she was gang-raped.
Police prosecutor, during remand proceedings, informed the court that there was a probable cause to order the remand of the priest.
However, the defence counsel applied for bail of the defendant, urging the court to exercise his disrection of bail in favour of the defendant, while citing Sections 13(3), 71(3), 72 and 73 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Anambra State, 2022, as well as, Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as Amended.
He also prayed the court to grant bail to the priest in most liberal terms; assuring the court that the priest would never jump bail if granted.
But, in a vehement opposition to the bail application by the defence counsel, the police prosecutor prayed the court to refuse bail to the clergyman, stating that the case before the court was an offence against a minor who was supposedly under the spiritual guardianship of the defendant.
The prosecuting police officer emphasised that the defendant had since been suspended by the authorities of the Roman Catholic Church, noting that the claim that the defendant had serious health challenge to warrant being granted bail, was never certified by a qualified medical personnel, as required by the ACJL, 2022.
According to the police prosecutor, the defendant could jump bail and leave the country without standing his trial, if granted bail.
Ruling on the bail application, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Genevieve Osakwe, stated that the case before the court was an offence punishable with life imprisonment, regretting that the offence of rape against minors was becoming rampant in the society.
She warned that the court would not fold its hands to watch the society decay, irrespective of whose ox is gored.
The court gave numerous instances of similar offences which had appeared before it in the past, mentioning specifically, a case involving a-75 year old man who also allegedly raped a minor and was accordingly remanded.
In the light of the above stance and other submissions by the honourable court, on point-of-Law, the defendant, Rev. Fr. Stephen Nwaigwe was accordingly remanded in the Correctional Center, even as the court urged him to seek his bail at the High Court.
Meanwhile, the Presiding Chief Magistrate ordered the Prosecuting Police Officer to transmit the original case file to the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Anambra State.
She therefore adjourned the case to the 6th day of December, 2023, for report of compliance.
There is no doubt that idolatry is on the increase in Anambra communities. Perhaps this could be as a result of many factors; frustration by some with the Christian and other religious faiths due to many reasons which may include; unfulfilled life expectations, greed and the quest for material acquisition (Ego Mbute), increasing moral decadence in the society, sudden realization of the need to re-connect to African culture by young people, ignorance, coercion, unchecked campus cultism leading to advanced cultism in later years etc.
During the heavy period of incessant kidnappings and associated activities of unknown gunmen in Anambra state, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo remarked thus; “Idolatry is the fastest growing religion in the state and we must not take it for granted”. His assertion must have been informed by intelligence from security agencies who after every raid of kidnappers camps discovered shrines and other paraphernalia of idol worshipping. Confessions from kidnappers also pointed in that direction. One could easily agree with this as viral videos of barbaric acts including beheading of kidnapped victims, roasting of human bodies, drinking of human blood etc signposted a rising devilish counter culture in our society leading to the general outcry against widespread ‘alu’ (evil acts) people were beholding.
All manner of shrines dot Anambra’s many rural communities. The shrines are patronized by people for different reasons. It appears that young people are the main patronizers. I have always argued that we should make a distinction between ‘good odinana’ and ‘bad odinana’ to avoid a situation of throwing the baby away with the dirty bath water.
I subscribe to ‘good odinana’ which our forefathers practised, such as breaking of kolanut, pouring of libation, marking of chalk on the floor (itu nzu), honouring our ancestors etc. Back then, native doctors were respected for their knowledge of efficacy of herbs and roots which they used in healing the sick. Some of them specialized in ‘igba okpukpu’ – bone fracture repairs etc. Unfortunately, the activities of modern day digital dibias and social media pastors have led to the condemnation of everything odinana. The new-age dibias bait our young people and promise them riches through preparation of ‘Ibobo’, ‘oke ite’ and other such ‘ogwu ego’ rituals. New age pastors are not any different, they lure the gullible to streams and rivers with rams and chickens etc and perform all sorts of wealth rituals for them.
There was a time Anambra state government tried to regulate the practice of traditional medicine practitioners. The present Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Dr Onyeka Ibezim was in charge of that agency as Special Adviser to the Governor on Traditional Medicine Practice. This was during the administration of Governor Willie Obiano. This earned Dr. Ibezim the ‘Ezedibia’ appellation.
As part of the 13-part Igbo cultural series that I recorded which are being shared on my Facebook page and YouTube channel, titled ‘Journey To The Ancient Paths’, I captured my visit to Nemkpa stream in Enugwu-Ukwu in Episodes 6, 7 and 8 and had a conversation with the presiding Chief Priest of Ogwugwu shrine who goes by the name Akajiofor. I clearly propagated the practice of ‘good odinana’ during our conversation which eschews spilling of innocent blood and other such related evil acts.
We frequented the Nemkpa stream freely as youngsters to fetch water for my grandmother but to my surprise, shrines have now been erected near the stream as it has been taken over by ‘Ezenwanyi’ and ‘Akajiofor’. Members of the community don’t visit the stream anymore as the shrines scared them away.
I don’t think that the solution is to burn their places of traditional religious worship. I subscribe to regulating their practice and knowing what they do. Medical doctors regulate their members through the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), while the government regulates them through the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). Christian pastors and priests regulate their members through the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and other bodies.
We should not leave the traditional religion worshippers and their chief priests unregulated and to their own devices. That’s a more dangerous option.
